The film’s team at the event

His sentiment was echoed by the film’s leading lady. “When you do a film like this, it changes you intrinsically,” emphasised Kapoor, who has been choosing unconventional movies over the past three years. “You start believing in yourself a lot more when a man like Nitesh Tiwari—who knows his craft well—shows confidence in you. I learnt so much about the kind of person I want to be, and the films I want to do.” 

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Even as the movie is set in the present day, it makes references to the Second World War. How does it tie in, in the narrative? Tiwari, the mind behind Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019), didn’t divulge details, only saying, “In the past, I’ve seen my work have some positive impact. Hopefully, this won’t be any different. The film’s setting will be clear once people see the movie, but the story is about how we look at life and relationships. Everything is governed by our values in life, which change as we evolve. Bawaal is about how cataclysmic [events] change us.” Given the film’s theme, producer Sajid Nadiadwala was certain about releasing it on a wide scale. The OTT offering will be released in 200 countries, in multiple languages.

The event’s highlight, however, was seven-year-old Dubai influencer Kashvi, who strutted up to “Varun bhaiyya” and asked him what made him want to be an actor. Humouring her, Dhawan said, “You are my inspiration. I never want to lose my ability to have childlike excitement and glee like you.”